Proposed Law in Missouri Could Permit Adoption Without Father's Consent

June 30, 2012

Proposed Law in Missouri Could Permit Adoption Without Father's Consent

Under a bill currently being considered by Missouri lawmakers, babies born to unmarried parents in Missouri could be placed for adoption without their fathers' consent.

If passed, the proposed law would make an unmarried father's consent to a child's adoption unnecessary if he does not provide sufficient financial support to the child's mother during pregnancy, delivery or after the child's birth, despite having reason to believe he is the biological father of the child. An exception would be made for cases in which the mother actively thwarted the father's attempts to provide financial support.

The proposal would also provide that a man's consent to the adoption of his child would not be required unless he has previously developed a "consistent and substantial relationship" with the infant. By the terms of the bill, a consistent and substantial relationship includes but is not limited to:
-Consistently providing prenatal financial support to the child's mother
-Consistently paying for the mother and child's medical care relating to the birth
-Consistently making child support payments to the mother
-Consistently having contact and visitation with the child
-Assisting in the child's education and medical care

Supporters of the bill claim that it would help clarify a biological father's legal rights and streamline the adoption process for children and adoptive parents. However, fathers' rights advocates have expressed harsh criticism for the proposal, arguing that it could deprive fathers of their paternal rights without taking into consideration the father's specific circumstances and the relationship between the biological parents.

To learn more about establishing paternity in Missouri or for help protecting your parental rights, contact a family law attorney with a background representing clients in paternity cases.

Article provided by Clay, Kline & Young, LLC
Visit us at http://www.midmotrialattorneys.com